Cinnamon market in Sub-Saharan Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The cinnamon market in Sub-Saharan Africa experienced strong growth in physical volume, expanding from 3 159 t in 2018 to 7 764 t in 2021, an increase of over 145%. This rise was driven by a surge in imports, which more than doubled from 3 296 t to 7 852 t during the same period, while domestic production remained stable at approximately 3 300 t annually.

Market volume contracted by 23% to 5 944 t in 2022 before recovering to 6 957 t in 2023. In value terms, the market displayed different dynamics, peaking at 10.9 million US dollars in 2020 before a sharp decline in 2021, likely due to shifts in international spice prices or changes in the product mix traded.

By 2024, developments in Kenya, a key market within the region, highlighted a growing emphasis on organic cinnamon cultivation, supported by efforts to obtain certification and add value through products like powder and oil. Increasing consumer awareness of cinnamon's health benefits and the rise of online sales platforms such as Jumia and Jiji facilitated greater market access and distribution.

Production cinnamon in Sub-Saharan Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of cinnamon, 2017-2020

World map of production of cinnamon, 2017-2020

Sub-Saharan Africa's cinnamon production increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 3 344 tonnes of cinnamon, marking a 1.1% rise from the previous year. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production actually declined by 3.4%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 1.2%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 3 230 tonnes, when output fell by 6.7%—the steepest drop in this timeframe. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest increase, with production growing by 2.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports cinnamon from Sub-Saharan Africa

Exports in kind, t

Cinnamon exports from Sub-Saharan Africa fell for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region shipped 2 732 tonnes of cinnamon abroad, representing a 17.4% year-on-year decline. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, exports dropped by 21.5%, averaging an annual decrease of 7.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Germany, and France were the primary markets for Sub-Saharan Africa's cinnamon exports by volume. The Netherlands accounted for 22.5% of these exports, Germany for 18.0%, and France for 12.0%. Together, these three countries absorbed 52.5% of the region's total cinnamon shipments.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of cinnamon exports from Sub-Saharan Africa declined for the second year running. In 2020, exports totaled 5 963 thousand US dollars, down 15.1% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 16%, with an average annual decline of 5.6%. The peak was reached in 2018 at 9 408 thousand US dollars, when exports surged by 32.6%—the largest increase in this timeframe. The following year, 2019, saw the sharpest drop, with export value falling by 25.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, the Netherlands, and France were the top destinations for Sub-Saharan Africa's cinnamon exports by value. Germany held a 20.8% share, the Netherlands 19.4%, and France 15.2%. Combined, these three markets represented 55.4% of the region's total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020

Imports cinnamon to Sub-Saharan Africa

Imports in kind, t

Cinnamon imports into Sub-Saharan Africa rose for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import volume reached 5 467 tonnes, a significant 38.5% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 46.5%, averaging an annual growth rate of 13.6%. The lowest import level was recorded in 2018 at 3 296 tonnes, when imports fell by 11.7%—the largest decline during these years.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, China, India, and Vietnam were the leading suppliers of cinnamon to Sub-Saharan Africa by volume. China dominated with a 61.2% share of imports, followed by India at 9.4% and Vietnam at 7.3%. Together, these three countries supplied 77.8% of the region's total cinnamon imports.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

The value of cinnamon imports into Sub-Saharan Africa increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports were recorded at 9 532 thousand US dollars, up 37.1% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value surged by 64.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 18.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, China, India, and Vietnam accounted for the largest share of Sub-Saharan Africa's cinnamon imports by value. China led with 44.6%, India followed with 12.7%, and Vietnam contributed 11.7%. Collectively, these three suppliers made up 69.0% of the region's total import value.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020